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Vitamin C: A Comprehensive Look at Its History and Benefits

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The development of vitamin C began in the 18th century, a time when sailors were passing away from scurvy, a condition brought on by a lack of vitamin C. James Lind tested citrus fruits on sailors in 1747 and discovered that they may treat scurvy. Albert Szent-Gyorgyi later made the chemical discovery of vitamin C and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work in 1932.

The well-known physicist and two-time Nobel laureate Linus Pauling was a staunch supporter of high-dose Vitamin C. Mega-doses of vitamin C, according to him, might both prevent and treat the common cold and possibly be used to treat serious illnesses. His views, notably those involving the use of high doses of Vitamin C as a therapy for numerous ailments, have drawn heavy criticism and lack strong scientific backing. Nevertheless, Pauling’s claims made Vitamin C more well-known and encouraged additional study and conversations about its health advantages.

BENEFITS

Risk of heart disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and vitamin C intake have an inverse relationship, according to a number of clinical investigations and observational studies.

Additionally, a review of data from epidemiologic research raises the possibility that vitamin C may have a preventive impact on cardiovascular health.

According to a recent study (2022), enough vitamin C intake has been demonstrated to support endothelial integrity and avoid hypertension, atherosclerosis, and stroke.

However, significant limitations must be taken into account when evaluating study results that looked at how vitamin C affected cardiovascular health, therefore the data is not clear.

Chronic illness

There is evidence, according to numerous studies and research, that vitamin C may help reduce the chance of developing chronic diseases. It’s crucial to remember that for people who consume a lot of vitamin C, the findings might also point to a healthier diet or way of life. Higher doses of vitamin C alone have not yet been proven to protect chronic degenerative illnesses in controlled clinical trials.

Elevated blood pressure

a thorough research and meta-analysis of observational studies that looked into the connection between blood pressure and serum vitamin C that were published in the journal Cardiovascular Therapeutics. According to the analysis of 18 relevant studies, patients with hypertension have comparatively low levels of vitamin C in their serum, and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure are negatively correlated with vitamin C.

Another investigation by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine examined 29 randomized, controlled studies including subjects who took vitamin C across a range of time periods and discovered that taking relatively high doses of supplemental vitamin C lowers blood pressure.

People with high blood pressure shouldn’t rely solely on vitamin C as a treatment because more research is required to completely understand the effects of vitamin C intake on blood pressure.

Enhance Immunity

It is a necessary vitamin that affects numerous facets of immunological function, such as:

White blood cell production: White blood cells are the body’s first line of defense against illness, and they are produced in the body thanks to vitamin C.

White blood cell function: Vitamin C helps white blood cells perform well by preventing damage and assisting in the killing of germs and viruses.

Vitamin C has strong antioxidant properties that can help shield cells from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are erratic molecules that can cause inflammation and cell damage.

Lack in iron.

By improving the absorption of nonheme iron, the form of iron found in plant-based meals, vitamin C can help avoid iron insufficiency.

 A recent randomized clinical research discovered that taking vitamin C supplements along with oral iron supplements had no significant therapeutic advantage for treating iron deficient anemia.

To completely comprehend the effects of vitamin C supplementation on iron deficiency, more research is also required.

Brain

Multiple advantages of vitamin C supplementation for brain health include:

It has been demonstrated that vitamin C is beneficial for brain health. It affects the brain’s neuronal differentiation, maturation, and myelination.

 In the brain, vitamin C serves as an essential antioxidant molecule that prevents damage, aids in the production of neurotransmitters and myelin, controls neuronal energy, and promotes overall brain health.

CONCLUSION:

In this article, we delve into the extensive history and myriad benefits of Vitamin C, tracing its roots from combating scurvy in the 18th century to its modern-day applications. We discuss its potential in reducing cardiovascular disease risk, managing high blood pressure, enhancing immunity, aiding iron absorption, and fostering brain health. However, we also underscore the need for further research to fully understand Vitamin C’s impact, especially concerning supplementation for specific health conditions. Through various studies, we aim to elucidate Vitamin C’s significance, advocating for more in-depth exploration to substantiate its therapeutic potential.

KEY References

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Harrison, F. E., & May, J. M. (2009, March 1). Vitamin C function in the brain: vital role of the ascorbate transporter SVCT2. Free Radical Biology and Medicine; Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2008.12.018

Pinon, J. (2023, August 21). How vitamin C impacts brain health and function. Longevity.Technology Lifestyle | Health, Fitness & Technology. https://longevity.technology/lifestyle/how-vitamin-c-impacts-brain-health-and-function/

Li, N., Zhao, G., Wu, W., Zhang, M. X., Liu, W., Chen, Q. F., & Wang, X. (2020, November 2). The Efficacy and Safety of Vitamin C for Iron Supplementation in Adult Patients With Iron Deficiency Anemia. JAMA Network Open; American Medical Association. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.23644

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He, H., Qiao, Y., Zhang, Z. Y., Wu, Z., Liŭ, D., Liao, Z., Yin, D., & He, M. (2018, January 1). Dual action of vitamin C in iron supplement therapeutics for iron deficiency anemia: prevention of liver damage induced by iron overload. Food & Function; Royal Society of Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1039/c7fo02057k

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